The Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre will close next week for “extended annual maintenance,” according to the City of Victoria.
The ageing pool will be closed from Nov. 20 until Jan. 1, 2024.
While the facility is closed, all Crystal Pool memberships will be accepted at other rec centres across the region, including in Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, the West Shore, at Panorama Rec Centre, SeaParc and the downtown Victoria YMCA.
Online registration for programs at Crystal Pool will remain open during the facility’s closure, and the reception desk will be open for calls or in-person service during the maintenance period from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, except for from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1.
The pool, built in 1971, has long been the centre of potential rebuilds or renovations.
At a Committee of the Whole Meeting on Feb. 9, Victoria Coun. Matt Dell said the project has languished for nearly a decade.
“Crystal Pool was my first job when I moved to Victoria in 2002, and don’t take this as an insult, but it was a bit rundown back then, as well, and it’s become further so,” he said at the time.
“In 2014, I participated in the election campaign focused on rebuilding Crystal Pool and that’s almost 10 years ago now.”
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On the city’s “major projects” webpage, last updated on Oct. 28, the city says the Crystal Pool replacement project is still in its “planning” phase.
“The Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre Replacement Project has a goal of ensuring that this infrastructure meets the community’s social, health and wellness, and environmental objectives over the long term,” reads the website.
“Staff are working to develop an updated scope, timeline and budget to begin the next phase of this project.”
Adam Chan
